Ashurst to Forest Row and East Grinstead
Length: 17.8km (11 miles) Toughness: 5/10
or 23.3km (14.4 miles) Toughness 7/10
or 13.1km (8 miles) Toughness 4/10
09:51 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Junction 09:58, East Croydon 10:09), changing at Hurst Green (arr 10:36; dep 10:41) and arriving at Ashurst at 10:59.
Return trains from East Grinstead to Victoria are at xx:12 and xx:42 (journey time 57 mins). Buy an Off-Peak Day Return to East Grinstead, which should be accepted on the outward journey too.
It’s a long time since this walk had a Sunday outing, so here’s a chance for Sunday walkers to try it again. This is an attractive Wealden walk that passes through Ashdown Forest (Pooh country) to finish in Forest Row. Here you can follow an optional 5.5km extension along a disused railway line to East Grinstead or catch a bus there – 291 bus at 15:17 and 17:16; 270 bus at 15:16 and 18:05.
To shorten the walk to around 8 miles, you could switch to the High Weald Landscape Trail at Hartfield. This is the ending of the Eridge to Forest Row walk, and you join it before reaching the lunch pub, so you could lunch in Hartfield instead.
The suggested lunch stop is the Gallipot Inn (01892 770008) at Gallipot Street. As always on a Sunday, reserving a table is advisable. If doing the shorter ending, the suggested lunch pub is the Anchor Inn (01892 770424) in Hartfield.
You will need to download the Walk Directions. If doing the shorter ending, you'll also need pages 7 to 8 of the Eridge to Forest Row walk directions.
T=swc.110
Sunday, 29 September 2019
Sunday Walk - A Cotswold Caper from Kingham to Charlbury
SWC 341: Kingham to Charlbury Long Walk (with short option) T=SWC.341
Distance: 21.7 miles or 34.9 km for those more metrically minded – short route available using SWC 246 routing (11 miles/17.6 km)
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 for the long walk; 2 out of 10 for the shorter walk
Train: Take the 8:48 AM Great Western Hereford train from London Paddington, arriving at Kingham 10:13 AM. Return trains from Charlbury are at 17:32; 18:36; 19:32; 20:32. Buy a day return to Kingham.
This new walk had its debut on possibly the hottest day of the year (decade?) in June when everyone headed to the sea for a cooling dip…SO, I thought I would give it another shot in cooler conditions as the Cotswold is always lovely in the autumn….Unfortunately, since the days are already getting shorter, an early start is required for the longer route….though just think how good it will feel to maximize the day! For those doing the shorter walk, the 9:48 train would be adequate….
The long walk is largely map led, so print the map or download the GPX! The shorter route has some more detailed instructions. More information on the long route can be found here and the short route here.
On the long walk, I would suggest having a late lunch at the lovely Swan Inn in Swinbrook (18 km/11 miles). On the short walk, the suggested lunch pub is another Swan Inn in Ascott under Wychwood (5.5 miles/8.8 km into the short walk).
There are various pubs in Charlbury for post walk bevies…
Enjoy the walk!
Distance: 21.7 miles or 34.9 km for those more metrically minded – short route available using SWC 246 routing (11 miles/17.6 km)
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 for the long walk; 2 out of 10 for the shorter walk
Train: Take the 8:48 AM Great Western Hereford train from London Paddington, arriving at Kingham 10:13 AM. Return trains from Charlbury are at 17:32; 18:36; 19:32; 20:32. Buy a day return to Kingham.
This new walk had its debut on possibly the hottest day of the year (decade?) in June when everyone headed to the sea for a cooling dip…SO, I thought I would give it another shot in cooler conditions as the Cotswold is always lovely in the autumn….Unfortunately, since the days are already getting shorter, an early start is required for the longer route….though just think how good it will feel to maximize the day! For those doing the shorter walk, the 9:48 train would be adequate….
The long walk is largely map led, so print the map or download the GPX! The shorter route has some more detailed instructions. More information on the long route can be found here and the short route here.
On the long walk, I would suggest having a late lunch at the lovely Swan Inn in Swinbrook (18 km/11 miles). On the short walk, the suggested lunch pub is another Swan Inn in Ascott under Wychwood (5.5 miles/8.8 km into the short walk).
There are various pubs in Charlbury for post walk bevies…
Enjoy the walk!
Saturday, 28 September 2019
Saturday Walk – Orchards and medieval bridges in the Medway valley
Extra Walk 336 – Wateringbury Circular
Length: 14 km (8.7 miles), with longer options (†‡). Toughness: 3/10
10:03 Ramsgate train from Victoria (Bromley South 10:29), changing at Paddock Wood (arr 10:58, dep 11:11) and arriving Wateringbury at 11:22. Buy a return to Wateringbury.
† You could also travel (more expensively) on the 09:25 High Speed train from St Pancras, changing at Strood (arr 09:59, dep 10:04: be quick!) to arrive at Wateringbury 46 minutes earlier at 10:36. That will give you just enough time to do the walk's 3½ km ‘preamble’ (a loop via Nettlestead) and meet the main group off the other train.
Trains back from Wateringbury are hourly at xx:36 and go to Tonbridge, where you change for stations to Victoria or Charing Cross. With a High Speed ticket you'd have the option of travelling in the other direction at xx:22, changing at Strood for St Pancras.
A few new walks in this attractive part of the Medway valley had their débuts in early spring when the apple blossom was just coming out, so here's a chance to see the resulting crop. This particular walk had its first outing on a Sunday in March, but as it was Mothers Day both of the possible lunch pubs were full and we didn't get much of a chance to try them.
If you want an early lunch stop you should reach the Good Intent in Farleigh Green by 12:30pm; about 25 minutes later the Bull Inn in East Farleigh is closer to the walk's midway point. Both are next to village greens or churchyards for those bringing sandwiches. At the end of the walk you can get tea'n'cake at the Ramblers Rest Café, just across the river from Wateringbury station.
‡ If the cake has revived you the optional post-walk extension is an extra 3 km alongside the river to the next station (Yalding; trains to Tonbridge at xx:40).
You'll need to bring the directions from the Wateringbury Circular walk page. T=swc.336
Length: 14 km (8.7 miles), with longer options (†‡). Toughness: 3/10
10:03 Ramsgate train from Victoria (Bromley South 10:29), changing at Paddock Wood (arr 10:58, dep 11:11) and arriving Wateringbury at 11:22. Buy a return to Wateringbury.
† You could also travel (more expensively) on the 09:25 High Speed train from St Pancras, changing at Strood (arr 09:59, dep 10:04: be quick!) to arrive at Wateringbury 46 minutes earlier at 10:36. That will give you just enough time to do the walk's 3½ km ‘preamble’ (a loop via Nettlestead) and meet the main group off the other train.
Trains back from Wateringbury are hourly at xx:36 and go to Tonbridge, where you change for stations to Victoria or Charing Cross. With a High Speed ticket you'd have the option of travelling in the other direction at xx:22, changing at Strood for St Pancras.
A few new walks in this attractive part of the Medway valley had their débuts in early spring when the apple blossom was just coming out, so here's a chance to see the resulting crop. This particular walk had its first outing on a Sunday in March, but as it was Mothers Day both of the possible lunch pubs were full and we didn't get much of a chance to try them.
If you want an early lunch stop you should reach the Good Intent in Farleigh Green by 12:30pm; about 25 minutes later the Bull Inn in East Farleigh is closer to the walk's midway point. Both are next to village greens or churchyards for those bringing sandwiches. At the end of the walk you can get tea'n'cake at the Ramblers Rest Café, just across the river from Wateringbury station.
‡ If the cake has revived you the optional post-walk extension is an extra 3 km alongside the river to the next station (Yalding; trains to Tonbridge at xx:40).
You'll need to bring the directions from the Wateringbury Circular walk page. T=swc.336
Saturday Walk - Peaceful ramble in the Thame Valley (no, not Thames!)
Thame Circular
Length: 21km (13 miles), or 15.2km (9.4 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:06 Oxford train from Marylebone arriving at Haddenham & Thame Parkway at 10:40. Then catch a 280 bus at 10:53 from the station forecourt to the centre of Thame, arriving at 11:03. A return ticket may be cheaper than two singles
Return trains are at xx:13 and xx:38, (journey times 54 minutes and 40 minutes respectively). Connecting buses from Thame to the station are at xx:03, xx:33 and xx:53, taking 12 minutes
With the end of British Summer Time approaching, the opportunities for doing longer walks will become limited. This one is a scenic and easy walk north of the Chilterns through fields and quiet villages in the Thame valley on the Oxon/Bucks border. An option to shorten the walk to 15.2km is provided. Another option is to extend the walk in the morning by adding a diversion through Tiddington and Waterstock, adding 3.6km.
The recommended lunch pubs are the Clifden Arms (01844 338429) in Worminghall after 7.4 miles, or The Rising Sun (01844 339238) in Ickford after 8.3 miles. If you choose the short option, the lunch pub is The Old Fisherman (01844 201247) in Shabbington after 5.9 miles.
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
T=swc.190
Length: 21km (13 miles), or 15.2km (9.4 miles). Toughness: 3/10
10:06 Oxford train from Marylebone arriving at Haddenham & Thame Parkway at 10:40. Then catch a 280 bus at 10:53 from the station forecourt to the centre of Thame, arriving at 11:03. A return ticket may be cheaper than two singles
Return trains are at xx:13 and xx:38, (journey times 54 minutes and 40 minutes respectively). Connecting buses from Thame to the station are at xx:03, xx:33 and xx:53, taking 12 minutes
With the end of British Summer Time approaching, the opportunities for doing longer walks will become limited. This one is a scenic and easy walk north of the Chilterns through fields and quiet villages in the Thame valley on the Oxon/Bucks border. An option to shorten the walk to 15.2km is provided. Another option is to extend the walk in the morning by adding a diversion through Tiddington and Waterstock, adding 3.6km.
The recommended lunch pubs are the Clifden Arms (01844 338429) in Worminghall after 7.4 miles, or The Rising Sun (01844 339238) in Ickford after 8.3 miles. If you choose the short option, the lunch pub is The Old Fisherman (01844 201247) in Shabbington after 5.9 miles.
You will need to download the Walk Directions.
T=swc.190
Saturday walk - Dorking Circular - Valley views and autumnal woods
Main walk: 18.5km (11.5 miles), with options of 16km (9.9 miles) or 22.8km (14.1 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10 T=3.274
9.25 train from Victoria (9.32 Clapham Junction, 9.54 Sutton) to Dorking (arriving 10.21)
You can also get the 9.30 from London Bridge to Redhill, changing there (arriving 10.00. departing 10.13) to Dorking Deepdene, arriving 10.24. Assuming this train is on time, if you walk as quickly as possible up to the station approach for Dorking Main station (it is about 200 metres away), you should intercept the rest of us.
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.
Buy a day return to Dorking (obviously): slightly cheaper Southern-only tickets are available if you are travelling both ways on the direct Victoria train.
This walk had a Sunday outing in May, but in its purest form has not had a Saturday airing since 2017. It is a perfect autumn walk, with some open views in the morning and some fine wooded country in the afternoon. It is too early for much in the way of autumn colour, but there may be a bit, and this should also be a good walk for fungi and other signs of the season.
On the main walk you have a choice of the Wotton Hatch pub after 4.6 miles or the Stephen Langton after 6 miles. A large group might be advised to split itself between the two.
There is also a shorter 9.9 mile version of the walk, which only takes in the Wotton pub, and a longer 14.1 mile walk which has a different set of lunch options, but which splits off from the main walk route quite early on.
Tea options are not lacking in Dorking (see the walk's home page)
Trains back from Dorking Main are at 07 and 37 past the hour
Trains from Dorking Deepdene to Redhill (for connections to London Bridge) are at 8/11 and 26/27 past the hour
Toughness: 6 out of 10 T=3.274
9.25 train from Victoria (9.32 Clapham Junction, 9.54 Sutton) to Dorking (arriving 10.21)
You can also get the 9.30 from London Bridge to Redhill, changing there (arriving 10.00. departing 10.13) to Dorking Deepdene, arriving 10.24. Assuming this train is on time, if you walk as quickly as possible up to the station approach for Dorking Main station (it is about 200 metres away), you should intercept the rest of us.
For walk directions click here. For GPX click here. For a map of the route click here.
Buy a day return to Dorking (obviously): slightly cheaper Southern-only tickets are available if you are travelling both ways on the direct Victoria train.
This walk had a Sunday outing in May, but in its purest form has not had a Saturday airing since 2017. It is a perfect autumn walk, with some open views in the morning and some fine wooded country in the afternoon. It is too early for much in the way of autumn colour, but there may be a bit, and this should also be a good walk for fungi and other signs of the season.
On the main walk you have a choice of the Wotton Hatch pub after 4.6 miles or the Stephen Langton after 6 miles. A large group might be advised to split itself between the two.
There is also a shorter 9.9 mile version of the walk, which only takes in the Wotton pub, and a longer 14.1 mile walk which has a different set of lunch options, but which splits off from the main walk route quite early on.
Tea options are not lacking in Dorking (see the walk's home page)
Trains back from Dorking Main are at 07 and 37 past the hour
Trains from Dorking Deepdene to Redhill (for connections to London Bridge) are at 8/11 and 26/27 past the hour
Thursday, 26 September 2019
Evening Walk - Chelsea and Battersea Park
Length: 6.0 km (if finishing at Victoria)
Net Walking Time: 1 ½ hours (if finishing at
Victoria)
Meet: outside Sloane
Square Tube Station (District and Circle Line, Zone 1), by the Newspaper
Kiosk, at 18.30 hours.
Finish as per the route map is at London Victoria; should punters have a drink or meal in one of the establishments under
the railway arches by Chelsea Bridge, then a bus finish from Chelsea Bridge makes
more sense.
King’s Road, Chelsea Back Streets, Albert and
Chelsea Bridges, Battersea Park.
At the end, punters could explore a route past the Nine
Elms Thames-side development to Vauxhall Tube and Main Line stations…
Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Wednesday walk Balcombe to East Grinstead - Wakehurst Place, Priest House and Weir Wood
Book 1 Walk 34 - Balcombe to East Grinstead
Length: 17.2 km (10.7 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10 Probably over-rated. No serious hills.
Either
London Bridge: 10-05 hrs Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton. East Croydon 10-19 hrs
Arrive Balcombe: 10-46 hrs
Or
London Victoria: 09-55 hrs Brighton service CJ 10-02 hrs
Arrive East Croydon: 10-11 hrs Change trains
Leave East Croydon: 10-19 hrs Thameslink service as above
Arrive Balcombe: 10-46 hrs
Return
East Grinstead to Victoria: 06 and 36 mins past the hour up to and including 17-36, then 17-51, 18-06, 18-21 and 18-36 hrs. Change at East Croydon for return to London Bridge.
Rail ticket
A little tricky: a Balcombe return is not usually accepted by rail staff at East Grinstead station, They usually require you to possess a ticket from East Grinstead to East Croydon. So you choose: either a day return to Balcombe, plus a single from East Grinstead to East Croydon, or buy separate off peak singles, London to Balcombe, and East Grinstead to London, or buy a day return to Balcombe and try sweet talking your way though the barriers at East Grinstead: again, your choice !
This pleasant walk takes you via Balcombe Lake through gentle wooded hills as you make your way to Wakehurst Place, the seed conservation and germination centre for Kew Gardens aka the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Free access to the facilities for National Trust members. The public footpaths through the complex are open to all. The Seed Cafe in the complex makes for an early lunch stop (after 3 miles). Otherwise, the walk continues through woodland and open land as you make your way to the village of West Hoathly, where you stop for lunch at the popular - and usually very good - Cat Inn.
After lunch you pass through more woods as you cross the embankment for the Bluebell Railway. You then head for Stone Farm Rocks where rock climbers practise their skills on the sandstone rocks. Onwards then around Weir Wood Reservoir, at times on the Sussex Border path, then on into East Grinstead.
T=1.34
Walk Directions are here: L=1.34
Length: 17.2 km (10.7 miles)
Toughness: 6 out of 10 Probably over-rated. No serious hills.
Either
London Bridge: 10-05 hrs Thameslink service from Bedford to Brighton. East Croydon 10-19 hrs
Arrive Balcombe: 10-46 hrs
Or
London Victoria: 09-55 hrs Brighton service CJ 10-02 hrs
Arrive East Croydon: 10-11 hrs Change trains
Leave East Croydon: 10-19 hrs Thameslink service as above
Arrive Balcombe: 10-46 hrs
Return
East Grinstead to Victoria: 06 and 36 mins past the hour up to and including 17-36, then 17-51, 18-06, 18-21 and 18-36 hrs. Change at East Croydon for return to London Bridge.
Rail ticket
A little tricky: a Balcombe return is not usually accepted by rail staff at East Grinstead station, They usually require you to possess a ticket from East Grinstead to East Croydon. So you choose: either a day return to Balcombe, plus a single from East Grinstead to East Croydon, or buy separate off peak singles, London to Balcombe, and East Grinstead to London, or buy a day return to Balcombe and try sweet talking your way though the barriers at East Grinstead: again, your choice !
This pleasant walk takes you via Balcombe Lake through gentle wooded hills as you make your way to Wakehurst Place, the seed conservation and germination centre for Kew Gardens aka the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Free access to the facilities for National Trust members. The public footpaths through the complex are open to all. The Seed Cafe in the complex makes for an early lunch stop (after 3 miles). Otherwise, the walk continues through woodland and open land as you make your way to the village of West Hoathly, where you stop for lunch at the popular - and usually very good - Cat Inn.
After lunch you pass through more woods as you cross the embankment for the Bluebell Railway. You then head for Stone Farm Rocks where rock climbers practise their skills on the sandstone rocks. Onwards then around Weir Wood Reservoir, at times on the Sussex Border path, then on into East Grinstead.
T=1.34
Walk Directions are here: L=1.34
Sunday, 22 September 2019
Sunday Walk: Newest, oldest, biggest - Riddlesdown to Coulsdon South
Book 2, walk 15
10.4 miles, 16.8km or, with shortcut, 7.8 miles 12.5km.
Difficulty 4/10
Take a trip through England's newest National Nature Reserve, a designation that will help preserve some of the green belt's finest commons, including Happy Valley and Farthing Down,
Marvel at one of England's oldest and biggest surviving wall paintings in Chaldon Church.
Trains: Get the 09:51 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 09:58 E Croydon 10:09) arriving Riddlesdown 10:17.
Trains back: xx:20 & xx:57 from Coulsdon South to Victoria.
Both stations are within travelcard zone 6. A travel card out to zone 6 may be best.
Lunch The Fox, Coulsdon Common 01883 330 401. Busy, efficient and, according to their website, "oozing rustic charm and rural character". There's a possible earlier stop in Wattenden - the Wattenden Arms, open from 12.
Tea: Chaldon Church serves tea and cakes between 3 and 4.30 summer Sundays. Nearer the station, the Poppy Café in the Memorial Gardens (across the road from Reddown Rd) is open to 3.30. There is a Caffe Nero, 5 mins north of the station at 132 Brighton Road, open until 5pm on Sundays. The walk notes also give directions to a pub, the Pembroke. (If visiting the Pembroke, note that Coulsdon's other station, Coulsdon Town, has no trains today).
Walk Directions: here. It is possible to take a shortcut in the afternoon (option a).
T=2.15
10.4 miles, 16.8km or, with shortcut, 7.8 miles 12.5km.
Difficulty 4/10
Take a trip through England's newest National Nature Reserve, a designation that will help preserve some of the green belt's finest commons, including Happy Valley and Farthing Down,
Marvel at one of England's oldest and biggest surviving wall paintings in Chaldon Church.
Trains: Get the 09:51 East Grinstead train from Victoria (Clapham Jct 09:58 E Croydon 10:09) arriving Riddlesdown 10:17.
Trains back: xx:20 & xx:57 from Coulsdon South to Victoria.
Both stations are within travelcard zone 6. A travel card out to zone 6 may be best.
Lunch The Fox, Coulsdon Common 01883 330 401. Busy, efficient and, according to their website, "oozing rustic charm and rural character". There's a possible earlier stop in Wattenden - the Wattenden Arms, open from 12.
Tea: Chaldon Church serves tea and cakes between 3 and 4.30 summer Sundays. Nearer the station, the Poppy Café in the Memorial Gardens (across the road from Reddown Rd) is open to 3.30. There is a Caffe Nero, 5 mins north of the station at 132 Brighton Road, open until 5pm on Sundays. The walk notes also give directions to a pub, the Pembroke. (If visiting the Pembroke, note that Coulsdon's other station, Coulsdon Town, has no trains today).
Walk Directions: here. It is possible to take a shortcut in the afternoon (option a).
T=2.15
Sunday Walk: Hey, Wayne! Get offa my slime! - Manningtree Circular.
Book 1 walk 39
Length: 17.3 km. 10.7 miles
Difficulty: 4/10
A walk through Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty, revisiting scenes from Constable’s paintings, including The Haywain. (Haywain, get it - Hey Wayne? Oh, never mind).
There's some interesting churches along the way.
The one in Stratford St Mary has unusual flint lettering round the outside.
Plans to give East Bergholt's church a tower were postponed after Cardinal Wolsey's downfall. Five centuries later, the bells are still rung by hand in a "temporary" cage in the churchyard. Inside the church, see if you can find an early camel and the "putrid slime" alluded to above. That's your task for today.
Trains: 9:30 Norwich train from Liverpool St., arriving Manningtree at 10:28.
Return trains at xx:19 and x:53.
Lunch: the Sun Inn, Dedham 01206 323351 serving lunch from 12-3.
Or the Dedham Craft Centre cafe 01206 322677.
Also in Dedham, the Essex Rose tea room 01206 323101.
Tea: the National Trust tearooms at Flatford Bridge, open till 5.
Directions: here .
The walk can be shortened by missing out Stratford St Mary.
Length: 17.3 km. 10.7 miles
Difficulty: 4/10
A walk through Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty, revisiting scenes from Constable’s paintings, including The Haywain. (Haywain, get it - Hey Wayne? Oh, never mind).
There's some interesting churches along the way.
The one in Stratford St Mary has unusual flint lettering round the outside.
Plans to give East Bergholt's church a tower were postponed after Cardinal Wolsey's downfall. Five centuries later, the bells are still rung by hand in a "temporary" cage in the churchyard. Inside the church, see if you can find an early camel and the "putrid slime" alluded to above. That's your task for today.
Trains: 9:30 Norwich train from Liverpool St., arriving Manningtree at 10:28.
Return trains at xx:19 and x:53.
Lunch: the Sun Inn, Dedham 01206 323351 serving lunch from 12-3.
Or the Dedham Craft Centre cafe 01206 322677.
Also in Dedham, the Essex Rose tea room 01206 323101.
Tea: the National Trust tearooms at Flatford Bridge, open till 5.
Directions: here .
The walk can be shortened by missing out Stratford St Mary.
Saturday, 21 September 2019
Saturday Walk - Great Missenden Circular
CW2 4c Great Missenden Circular
Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Catch the 10:27 from London Marylebone arrives Great Missenden 11:08.
Return trains: xx:02 xx:32
This is a walk option that uses the initial section of CW1 Walk 5 up to [3] to then use 4c walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk. All directions are contained in the main document including the CW1 Walk 5 directions up to [3].
Lunch at Cock & Rabbit, The Lee.
T=2.4c
Length: 16 km (10 miles). Toughness: 3/10
Catch the 10:27 from London Marylebone arrives Great Missenden 11:08.
Return trains: xx:02 xx:32
This is a walk option that uses the initial section of CW1 Walk 5 up to [3] to then use 4c walk directions for a Great Missenden Circular walk. All directions are contained in the main document including the CW1 Walk 5 directions up to [3].
Lunch at Cock & Rabbit, The Lee.
T=2.4c
Saturday Walk: Stonegate Circular
9,6 miles/15.5km
A walk in a quiet part of the Weald, passing by Rudyard Kipling's former rural retreat at Bateman's.
Trains: Take the 10:15 Hastings service from Charing Cross (10:24 London Bridge), arriving at Stonegate at 11;26. Return trains from Stonegate at xx23/53.
Lunch: The Rose and Crown, Burwash (01435 882600), 160m down the High Street from the church. A short way further on is The Bear Inn (01435 882540).
The Wheel Inn at Burwash Weald is a possible mid-afternoon stop. Near the end of the walk you can detour to a farm shop for a cold drink.
Click here for full details and walk directions
T=2.19
A walk in a quiet part of the Weald, passing by Rudyard Kipling's former rural retreat at Bateman's.
Trains: Take the 10:15 Hastings service from Charing Cross (10:24 London Bridge), arriving at Stonegate at 11;26. Return trains from Stonegate at xx23/53.
Lunch: The Rose and Crown, Burwash (01435 882600), 160m down the High Street from the church. A short way further on is The Bear Inn (01435 882540).
The Wheel Inn at Burwash Weald is a possible mid-afternoon stop. Near the end of the walk you can detour to a farm shop for a cold drink.
Click here for full details and walk directions
Saturday walk - Petersfield to Alton (or to Liss) - The Hampshire Hangers
Petersfield to Alton - 23.9km (14.8 miles) T=2.11
or Petersfield to Liss - 16km (10.3 miles): see SHORTER OPTION below
Toughness: 8 out of 10
9.30 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 10.33
From Clapham Junction get the 9.27 Exeter/Bristol train and change at Woking (arrive 9.45, depart 9.55)
Buy a day return to Petersfield, but on the way back you will also need a single from Alton to Woking (£7.20 with a Network Card)
Looking at the other two walk posts, I see it falls to me this week to choose the longer/adventurous walk. It is also that time of year when the awful prospect of early dusks looms, and the thought that it would be nice to make good use of the daylight hours we still have.
Hence this little combination walk, which was last given an outing in 2016. It involves doing the Petersfield to Liss walk to its midpoint (directions, gpx, map), but then staying on the Hangars Way to Selborne, from where one can hook up with the Alton Circular walk (a GPX and map of this link route is included in the Petersfield to Liss ones: for walk directions click here).
By this route it is 4.1 miles to Hawkley, the lunch stop on the Petersfield to Liss walk, and another 4.1 miles to Selborne, making 8.2 miles in all from Petersfield to Selborne. I mention this because the Hawkley Inn can be very popular and booked up, though some past walk reports suggest that you can eat food in its garden even if it is full within. Otherwise the Selborne Arms is a charming pub, though annoyingly it stops serving food at 2pm. Perhaps with a 10.30 start this will be possible for some of our faster walkers, however.
Selborne also has two cafes - the Selborne Tea Rooms and the cafe of the Gilbert White Museum (which has now been rebuilt and is easily accessible without the need to go into the museum), which are open all afternoon. There are emergency lunch backstops, or if you have lunched in Hawkley they make ideal tea stops.
From Selborne, you follow the afternoon of the Alton Circular walk (directions: from paragraph 61 on page 6, GPX, map). It is 6.6 miles to Alton, though the last 1.8 miles is on lit roads (unless you choose the slightly alternative ending - option b) - over the fields), so it should be easily doable before dusk. Refreshment stops on this walk include the Rose and Crown pub in Upper Farringdon, and the Greyfriar in Chawton.
Trains back from Alton are at 15 and 44 past.
SHORTER OPTION
The 38 bus linking Selborne and Alton no longer runs on Saturdays, so ending the walk here is no longer possible. The only option for a shorter walk, therefore, is to do the Petersfield to Liss walk in its entirety, which is 10.3 miles. The route diverges from the Petersfield to Alton one about two miles after lunch.
Trains back from Liss are at 02 past the hour and your Petersfield return is valid
or Petersfield to Liss - 16km (10.3 miles): see SHORTER OPTION below
Toughness: 8 out of 10
9.30 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 10.33
From Clapham Junction get the 9.27 Exeter/Bristol train and change at Woking (arrive 9.45, depart 9.55)
Buy a day return to Petersfield, but on the way back you will also need a single from Alton to Woking (£7.20 with a Network Card)
Looking at the other two walk posts, I see it falls to me this week to choose the longer/adventurous walk. It is also that time of year when the awful prospect of early dusks looms, and the thought that it would be nice to make good use of the daylight hours we still have.
Hence this little combination walk, which was last given an outing in 2016. It involves doing the Petersfield to Liss walk to its midpoint (directions, gpx, map), but then staying on the Hangars Way to Selborne, from where one can hook up with the Alton Circular walk (a GPX and map of this link route is included in the Petersfield to Liss ones: for walk directions click here).
By this route it is 4.1 miles to Hawkley, the lunch stop on the Petersfield to Liss walk, and another 4.1 miles to Selborne, making 8.2 miles in all from Petersfield to Selborne. I mention this because the Hawkley Inn can be very popular and booked up, though some past walk reports suggest that you can eat food in its garden even if it is full within. Otherwise the Selborne Arms is a charming pub, though annoyingly it stops serving food at 2pm. Perhaps with a 10.30 start this will be possible for some of our faster walkers, however.
Selborne also has two cafes - the Selborne Tea Rooms and the cafe of the Gilbert White Museum (which has now been rebuilt and is easily accessible without the need to go into the museum), which are open all afternoon. There are emergency lunch backstops, or if you have lunched in Hawkley they make ideal tea stops.
From Selborne, you follow the afternoon of the Alton Circular walk (directions: from paragraph 61 on page 6, GPX, map). It is 6.6 miles to Alton, though the last 1.8 miles is on lit roads (unless you choose the slightly alternative ending - option b) - over the fields), so it should be easily doable before dusk. Refreshment stops on this walk include the Rose and Crown pub in Upper Farringdon, and the Greyfriar in Chawton.
Trains back from Alton are at 15 and 44 past.
SHORTER OPTION
The 38 bus linking Selborne and Alton no longer runs on Saturdays, so ending the walk here is no longer possible. The only option for a shorter walk, therefore, is to do the Petersfield to Liss walk in its entirety, which is 10.3 miles. The route diverges from the Petersfield to Alton one about two miles after lunch.
Trains back from Liss are at 02 past the hour and your Petersfield return is valid
Thursday, 19 September 2019
Evening Walk: Sunset on Boxhill
SWC: Boxhill Circular T=1.49
Distance: 7.1 miles or 11.5 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Train: 17:24 Dorking train from London Waterloo, arriving Boxhill at 18:10 – buy a day return to Boxhill &Wetshumble
Return: Trains from Boxhill are at 21:40, 22:35 and 23:02
I would call this a “transitional shoulder-season” evening walk…starting in daylight, enjoying the sunset from Boxhill (especially on the descent along Juniper Top) followed by a meal in Mickleham and finishing (a short distance) in the dark along a valley path…About 8 of us tried this last year and found that it worked well....arriving at the pub just before dark and making our way easily along a very clear path at the edge of the woods back to Boxhill station. More information about the route can be found here, bring both instructions and map print-out...
Enjoy the walk!
Distance: 7.1 miles or 11.5 km for those more metrically minded
Difficulty: 6 out of 10
Train: 17:24 Dorking train from London Waterloo, arriving Boxhill at 18:10 – buy a day return to Boxhill &Wetshumble
Return: Trains from Boxhill are at 21:40, 22:35 and 23:02
I would call this a “transitional shoulder-season” evening walk…starting in daylight, enjoying the sunset from Boxhill (especially on the descent along Juniper Top) followed by a meal in Mickleham and finishing (a short distance) in the dark along a valley path…About 8 of us tried this last year and found that it worked well....arriving at the pub just before dark and making our way easily along a very clear path at the edge of the woods back to Boxhill station. More information about the route can be found here, bring both instructions and map print-out...
Enjoy the walk!
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Wednesday Walk - Tring Circular or on to Berkhamsted
Tring Circular or on to Berkhamsted T=2.5
Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles), five hours walking time. To Berkhamsted 20.6km (12.8 miles).
4 out of 10
Tea: Valiant Trooper pub in Aldbury
Length: 16.3km (10.1 miles), five hours walking time. To Berkhamsted 20.6km (12.8 miles).
4 out of 10
"The first part of this route - following the Ridgeway along the Chiltern escarpment to Ivinghoe Beacon - is exhilarating, offering downland scenery as fine as anything on the South Downs. From the Beacon itself, it seems as if you can see half of England on a fine day. Then, by way of contrast, you are plunged into the ancient beechwoods of the Ashridge Estate. "
A Berkhamsted variation: After the pub, take an alternative route, carrying straight on along the Chiltern Way, eventually picking up the directions on Berkhamsted Common by going leftwards rather than a right turn towards Tring. This is shorter than the written up route.
Trains: Get the 1004 Tring train from Euston arrives 1049. If you miss this, the 1024 is only 8 minutes later at Tring. There is also a train from Clapham Junction 0939 arrives 1038 with various stops in London (East Croyden to Milton Kenes). Frequent return trains.
An oddity of these lines is that Harrow & Wealdstone is the zone 6 boundary.
Lunch: The Bridgewater Arms in Little Gaddesden, tel 01442 842 408, located 11.2km (7 miles) from the start of the walk, so a late lunch. For a picnic, you need to stop before the turn off to the pub.Tea: Valiant Trooper pub in Aldbury
Monday, 16 September 2019
Monday Walk - Airy ridge walk across three tops with a scenic descent: Crickhowell Circular via Table Mountain and the three Pens [Black Mountains Trip]
Length: 20.4 km (12.7 mi) [shorter and longer walks possible]
Ascent/Descent: 944 m
Net Walking Time: ca. 6 hours
Toughness: 9 out of 10
10.00 Bus Line X43 from Abergavenny Bus Station Stand 5, arrives Crickhowell Square 10.20. Return buses: 17.31, 18.31.
From/To London:
Take the 06.45 Swansea
train from Paddington (07.12 Reading), arriving Newport (Wales) at 08.31.
Connect to the 09.05 Transport for Wales train to Manchester Piccadilly,
arrives Abergavenny 09.28. For the quietest route from train to bus
station, consult the pdf for SWC
334.
Return trains: 18.14 --> 21.12, 18.57 --> 21.31, 20.45 --> 23.39.
From the centre of the
rightly popular town of Crickhowell, within minutes you rise up steeply (with
an 12% average gradient) for 3 km – mainly through pastures – to the excellent
viewpoint that is the eponymous Iron Age hillfort site of Crug Hywel (or Table
Mountain), which gives its name to the town and towers above the Usk Valley.
You ascend further up the flank of the main mountain range above the town to
Pen Cerrig-calch, the first of three high tops along the ridge. Continue to the
slightly higher second top, Pen Allt-mawr and down to the third top, Pen Twyn
Glas. The further descent now follows the easterly spur of the range with a
gentle gradient and some fantastic views to the valleys either side and out to
Sugarloaf/Y Fâl. A short stretch of road walking is followed by a re-ascent up
to the col between Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch and then follows the
Beacons Way contouring the hill for a while before dropping down to town
through the ancient woodland of the Cwm Cumbeth, with the bubbling Cumbeth
Brook never far away. The route finishes through the heart of Crickhowell past
most of its tea options.
A Very Short Walk leads back down to town from the Table Mountain, on a westerly loop
along the Beacons Way and down the wooded Cwm Cumbeth (7.5 km/4.6 mi, 389m
ascent, 3/10).
A Short Walk leads in a westerly loop from either Pen Cerrig-calch or Pen Allt-mawr (the latter route partly map-led) and down the lower part of the wooded Cwm Cumbeth (11.5 km/7.2 mi, 658m ascent, 6/10; or 16.5 km/10.3 mi, 741m ascent, 8/10).
A Variation of the Ending continues along Llanbedr Lane, entirely on tarmac, cutting out the re-ascent to the Crug Hywel and the descent down the wooded Cwm Cumbeth (cuts 1.5 km and 217m ascent, 8/10).
An out-and-back Extension from the last of the Pens to Waun Fach, the highest top in the Black Mountains, results in a 31.0 km/19.2 mi walk with 1402m ascent/descent, a strong 10/10. [map-led]
A Longer Walk out to Waun Fach, followed by a descent along its easterly ridge to Llanbedr village and along roads to Crickhowell, has 31.6 km/19.6 mi and 1218m ascent/descent (10/10). [map-led]
A Short Walk leads in a westerly loop from either Pen Cerrig-calch or Pen Allt-mawr (the latter route partly map-led) and down the lower part of the wooded Cwm Cumbeth (11.5 km/7.2 mi, 658m ascent, 6/10; or 16.5 km/10.3 mi, 741m ascent, 8/10).
A Variation of the Ending continues along Llanbedr Lane, entirely on tarmac, cutting out the re-ascent to the Crug Hywel and the descent down the wooded Cwm Cumbeth (cuts 1.5 km and 217m ascent, 8/10).
An out-and-back Extension from the last of the Pens to Waun Fach, the highest top in the Black Mountains, results in a 31.0 km/19.2 mi walk with 1402m ascent/descent, a strong 10/10. [map-led]
A Longer Walk out to Waun Fach, followed by a descent along its easterly ridge to Llanbedr village and along roads to Crickhowell, has 31.6 km/19.6 mi and 1218m ascent/descent (10/10). [map-led]
Lunch: Picnic.
Tea: Plenty of options in
Crickhowell, see the pdf for details. T=swc.333
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